Chapter 7: Thrown in the deep
"No more questions. I want to rest now," Irwin said, lying back on his new, comfy bed and closing his eyes.
After a few moments of more questions, Olban fell quiet with an annoyed grunt.
Finally, Irwin thought.
Olban had been far too interested, going as far as getting up and demanding to see his card's tattoo. It was such a not-done request that Irwin had been startled and just looked at him until the taller, brawnier youth seemed uncomfortable and returned. Something about the way he had asked confused Irwin, but he was too tired to process it.
"Fine, fine. But you have to show us what you can do soon," Olban said.
Irwin didn't respond, hoping Olban would shut up. Besides, he sounded way too interested. Irwin didn't want anyone to find out he had a card that looked common but wasn't. If his mother was right, it could prove lethal, and even if she wasn't, it didn't seem wise. He'd only wanted to tell his family at first anyway.
As the room turned quiet, the pain in his foot seemed to increase, and he realized that he really had to check his feet. Just one minute, he thought, relaxing for a moment.
The next thing he knew, someone was shaking his shoulder.
"Are you dead or something? Wake up!" Olban said, shaking him again. Greldo stood behind him, shrugging helplessly.
"Wu- wah," Irwin said, trying to fend off the persistent shaking. "I'm awake. Let go!"
"Good, because we have to leave," Olban said as he stepped back.
Irwin blinked his gritty eyes, and his body screamed at him that he should ignore anything and simply stay in bed.